The firm is restructuring the set-up of its philanthropy operations.

UBS is changing how the philanthropy specialists across the world are set up, with new reporting lines, this publication has learned. 

The changes affect client-facing staff in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Asia-Pacific and the US, according to a memo seen by this news service. The memo was signed by Hubertus Kuelps, head of UBS in society and Joe Stadler, head, ultra-high net worth.

The bank said the specialists are to be “functionally aligned in a newly-created UBS Philanthropy Services unit within UBS in society and UHNW”.
 
Phyllis Costanza, in addition to her role as chief executive of the UBS Optimus Foundation, will take on the role as head of UBS Philanthropy under UBS in society. (The Optimus Foundation is the Swiss bank’s organisation which draws together clients and UBS experts to support philanthropic and related projects.)

The new UBS Philanthropy Services unit will give advice on a range of topics.

Tom Hall, head of Philanthropy Services UK and+ client development, takes on a wider role as functional head of UBS Philanthropy Services. He reports to Costanza and Michael Viana, head of UHNW client services. 

The UHNW Family Advisory and Philanthropy Services regional heads, Judy Spalthoff (Americas), Susan Sy (APAC) and Eric Landolt (EMEA and Switzerland) also have an added reporting line into Hall.

“We are confident that the new set-up will enable us to support our clients even better in achieving measurable social impact through their philanthropic activities, while also generating enhanced business growth for UBS,” the memo said.